Workplace injuries/illnesses decline

Non-fatal workplace injuries and illnesses among private industry employers in 2008 occurred at a rate of 3.9 cases per 100 equivalent full-time workers, a decline from 4.2 cases in 2007, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.

Similarly, the number of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses reported in 2008 declined to 3.7 million cases, compared to four million cases in 2007.

The total recordable case injury and illness incidence rate among private industry employers has declined significantly each year since 2003, when estimates from the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses were first published using the 2002 North American Industry Classification System.